Instagram, the visually-driven social media behemoth, has become synonymous with Reels. While Reels are undoubtedly a powerful tool for engagement and discovery, sometimes you just want to post a regular, old-fashioned video. You know, the kind that lives on your profile grid, not just in the fleeting Reels tab. But how do you navigate Instagram’s increasingly Reels-focused landscape to achieve this seemingly simple goal? This guide provides a comprehensive, step-by-step walkthrough to posting videos on Instagram that aren’t Reels, maximizing their impact, and understanding the nuances of the platform’s video features.
Understanding Instagram Video Options: More Than Just Reels
Before diving into the “how-to,” let’s clarify the different video formats available on Instagram. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for choosing the right method for your content and audience.
Instagram offers several ways to share video content:
- Feed Videos: These are the traditional videos that appear on your profile grid and in your followers’ feeds. They offer more permanence than Reels and Stories.
- Reels: Short-form, engaging videos designed for discovery and entertainment. They live in a dedicated Reels tab and algorithmically reach a wider audience.
- Stories: Ephemeral videos and photos that disappear after 24 hours. Great for quick updates and behind-the-scenes glimpses.
- Instagram Live: Real-time video broadcasts that allow for direct interaction with your audience.
- Instagram Video: This name, which was initially the name for long-form video, is now largely defunct. Videos you post to your feed are what would have previously been called Instagram Video.
This guide focuses on posting Feed Videos, the cornerstone of a well-curated Instagram profile.
Posting a Video to Your Instagram Feed: A Step-by-Step Guide
Posting a video to your Instagram feed is a straightforward process, but knowing the optimal settings and considerations can significantly enhance its performance.
Open Instagram and Tap the Plus Icon: Launch the Instagram app on your smartphone. At the bottom of the screen, you’ll see a navigation bar. Tap the “+” (plus) icon, which is typically located in the center. This icon is your gateway to creating new content.
Select “Post” from the Creation Menu: After tapping the plus icon, a menu will appear, offering various content creation options. You’ll see options like “Reel,” “Story,” “Post,” and “Live.” Select “Post”. This tells Instagram you intend to create a regular feed post, not a Reel or Story.
Choose Your Video from Your Device’s Gallery: Instagram will now access your device’s photo and video gallery. Browse through your media and select the video you want to upload. Tap on the video to select it.
Trim and Adjust Your Video (If Necessary): Once you’ve selected your video, Instagram offers basic editing tools. You can trim the video’s length by dragging the sliders at the beginning and end of the timeline. If your video’s aspect ratio isn’t ideal for Instagram (e.g., it’s a widescreen video), you can tap the crop icon in the bottom left corner to adjust its dimensions. Choose between the original aspect ratio, square (1:1), or vertical (4:5). Selecting the right aspect ratio ensures your video looks its best on the platform. Keep in mind the maximum length for feed videos is 60 minutes.
Add a Filter (Optional): Instagram provides a range of filters you can apply to your video to enhance its visual appeal. Swipe left and right to preview different filters. You can also adjust the intensity of the filter by tapping on it again after you select it. If you don’t want to use a filter, simply choose the “Normal” option.
Write a Compelling Caption: The caption is your opportunity to provide context, engage your audience, and encourage interaction. Start with a captivating hook that grabs attention. Briefly describe the video’s content and its significance. Include relevant hashtags to increase discoverability (more on hashtags later). Ask a question to prompt comments and discussion. You can also tag other users who are featured in the video or who might find it interesting.
Tag People: Tagging relevant accounts can broaden your video’s reach. To tag someone, tap on the “Tag People” option and then tap on the area of the video where you want the tag to appear. Search for the person’s username and select them from the list.
Add Location: Adding a location to your post can help people discover your video based on geographic proximity. If the video was filmed in a specific location, tag it! Tap “Add Location” and search for the place.
Choose Advanced Settings: Before posting, explore the “Advanced Settings” menu. Here, you can:
- Hide Like and View Counts: If you prefer not to show the number of likes or views your video receives, you can toggle this option on.
- Turn Off Commenting: If you want to restrict comments on your video, you can disable them here.
- Add Alt Text: Alt text (alternative text) is a description of your video that is used for accessibility purposes. It helps people with visual impairments understand the content of your video. Be descriptive!
- Branded Content Ads: If your video contains branded content, you can tag your business partner here.
- Accessibility: Make sure to check on the settings related to accessibility.
Share Your Video: Once you’re satisfied with all the settings, tap the “Share” button in the top right corner. Your video will now be published to your Instagram feed.
Optimizing Your Instagram Video for Maximum Impact
Posting the video is only half the battle. Optimizing it for maximum impact is crucial to reaching a wider audience and achieving your goals.
Video Length: While Instagram allows feed videos up to 60 minutes long, shorter videos (under 60 seconds) tend to perform better, especially for capturing initial attention. Analyze your audience’s engagement patterns to determine the ideal length for your content.
Aspect Ratio and Resolution: The optimal aspect ratio for Instagram feed videos is 4:5 (vertical) or 1:1 (square). Aim for a resolution of at least 1080p (1920×1080 pixels) to ensure your video looks crisp and clear on all devices.
Thumbnails Matter: Your video’s thumbnail is the first thing people see when scrolling through their feed. Choose a visually appealing thumbnail that accurately represents the video’s content and entices viewers to click. You can select a frame from your video or upload a custom thumbnail.
Captions are Key: As mentioned earlier, a well-written caption is essential for providing context and encouraging engagement. Craft a caption that is informative, engaging, and aligned with your brand’s voice.
Hashtag Strategy: Hashtags are crucial for increasing the discoverability of your video. Research relevant hashtags in your niche and use a mix of broad and specific hashtags. Avoid using too many hashtags (Instagram allows up to 30), as this can look spammy. Focus on quality over quantity. Location-based hashtags can also be helpful.
Call to Action: Include a clear call to action in your caption. What do you want viewers to do after watching your video? Do you want them to visit your website, follow your account, leave a comment, or share the video with their friends?
Cross-Promotion: Promote your Instagram video on other social media platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok. This can help you drive traffic to your Instagram profile and increase your video’s reach.
Engagement is Everything: Respond to comments on your video and engage in conversations with your audience. This shows that you value their input and helps build a strong community around your content.
Troubleshooting Common Issues When Posting Videos
Sometimes, despite your best efforts, you may encounter technical issues when posting videos to Instagram. Here are some common problems and their solutions:
Video Not Uploading: Ensure you have a stable internet connection. Try restarting your phone or clearing the Instagram app’s cache. If the video is too large, try compressing it or reducing its resolution.
Video Quality Degraded: Instagram compresses videos upon upload, which can sometimes result in a loss of quality. To minimize this, upload videos with the highest possible resolution and bit rate.
Audio Issues: Make sure your video’s audio is clear and audible before uploading. Avoid recording in noisy environments.
Video Not Playing: This could be due to a corrupted video file. Try converting the video to a different format (e.g., MP4) before uploading.
Beyond the Basics: Advanced Strategies for Instagram Video Success
Once you’ve mastered the basics of posting and optimizing Instagram videos, you can explore more advanced strategies to take your video marketing to the next level.
Instagram Insights: Use Instagram Insights to track the performance of your videos. Pay attention to metrics like views, likes, comments, shares, and reach. Analyze this data to understand what types of videos resonate with your audience and optimize your future content accordingly.
Collaborations: Collaborate with other Instagram users to create videos together. This can help you reach a wider audience and gain new followers.
Paid Advertising: Consider using Instagram Ads to promote your videos to a targeted audience. This can be an effective way to increase your video’s reach and generate leads.
Experimentation: Don’t be afraid to experiment with different video formats, styles, and lengths. The key is to find what works best for your audience and your brand.
Posting a video on Instagram that isn’t a Reel is a fundamental skill for anyone seeking to build a strong presence on the platform. By following the steps and strategies outlined in this guide, you can create compelling videos that engage your audience, drive results, and contribute to your overall Instagram success. Remember to stay consistent, adapt to changes in the platform, and always prioritize quality content.